The political behavior of older american blacks

Using a subsample of the National Opinion Research Center’s 1987 General Social Survey, this study examined three competing explanations for the political behavior of older black Americans (n = 157, 55 and older). The socioeconomic model was a good predictor of political behavior; ethnic community theory and the empowerment model were, in varying degrees, predictors of alienation but not of political interest or activity. Some comparisons were made between older black Americans, younger blacks, and older and younger whites.